Assessing the capacity of ministries of health to use research in decision-making: conceptual framework and tool

Rodríguez, Daniela; Hoe, Connie; Dale, Elina; Rahman, Mohammad Maksudur; Akhter, Sadika; Hafeez, Assad; Irava, Wayne; Rajbangshi, Preety R; Roman, Tamlyn Eslie; Tirdea, Marcela; Yamout, Rana; Peters, David H.

doi:10.1186/s12961-017-0227-3

Cited by 20 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…One of the most frequently mentioned and most intractable challenges is capacity building for information-use across all levels of the healthcare delivery system16,38,50,51,63. In this study, respondents anticipated the need for capacity building in Malawi MoH at the national level in order to sustain the RMNCH Landscape Synthesis.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Data-informed decision-making for life-saving commodities investments in Malawi: A qualitative case study

Nemser

Aung²,

Mushamba³

et al. 2018

Mal. Med. J

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BackgroundDuring the last 15 years, Malawi has made remarkable progress in reducing child mortality. However, maternal and newborn mortality remains persistently high. To help address these entrenched challenges, the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) Trust Fund provided short-term catalytic financing of $11.5 million (2013–2016) to support country plans to advance the RMNCH and commodity agenda.Objectives(1) To document how Malawi (ministries, partners, working groups) used evidence to inform decision-making and RMNCH investments, (2) To identify barriers to utilizing information and evidence in the planning and prioritization process at national and sub-national levels, and (3) To assess the utility of the RMNCH Landscape Synthesis, which uses existing information to review life-saving RMNCH commodities and services.MethodsThis was a qualitative case study utilizing a Rapid Appraisal (RA) approach, where semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff members from UN agencies, development partners and the Ministry of Health (MoH) at national and district level. The analysis enlists a framework approach for manual qualitative content analysis.ResultsLed by the MoH, the RMNCH Trust Fund grant proposal utilized an evidence-based and equity-focused process for prioritization of investments. Data-informed decision-making permeates similar commodity-focused working groups. However, common health information system (HIS) weaknesses, such as data quality and collection burden, persist and are more prevalent at district-level. The collation of evidence in the RMNCH Landscape Synthesis was a useful and sustainable tool to support planning.ConclusionsThe evidence-based, equity-focused decision-making process for the RMNCH Trust Fund proposal provides an effective model for inter-agency investment prioritization. Strengthening data-informed decision-making will require financial and political commitments to HIS and capacity building for data use, particularly at the district-level. New initiatives (e.g. Health Data Collaborative and QED Network to Improve Quality of Care) provide opportunities to further improve evidence-informed decision-making.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Data-informed decision-making for life-saving commodities investments in Malawi: A qualitative case study

Nemser

Aung²,

Mushamba³

et al. 2018

Mal. Med. J

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“…To date, individual capacity has largely been the focus of efforts to improve research production and use in policy. However, recognising the need for broader system strengthening, tools that focus on improving institutional capacity for research use are on the rise [27, 34, 96]. Additionally, regional and international partnerships are supporting many countries to develop capacity to analyse their own health systems and develop locally appropriate KT strategies such as, for example, EVIPNet in Malawi and Uganda [57, 97], the West African Health Organization in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone [98], and the Consortium for Health Policy and Systems Analysis in Africa in South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria [99].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence map of knowledge translation strategies, outcomes, facilitators and barriers in African health systems

Edwards

Zweigenthal

Olivier

2019

Health Res Policy Sys

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BackgroundThe need for research-based knowledge to inform health policy formulation and implementation is a chronic global concern impacting health systems functioning and impeding the provision of quality healthcare for all. This paper provides a systematic overview of the literature on knowledge translation (KT) strategies employed by health system researchers and policy-makers in African countries.MethodsEvidence mapping methodology was adapted from the social and health sciences literature and used to generate a schema of KT strategies, outcomes, facilitators and barriers. Four reference databases were searched using defined criteria. Studies were screened and a searchable database containing 62 eligible studies was compiled using Microsoft Access. Frequency and thematic analysis were used to report study characteristics and to establish the final evidence map. Focus was placed on KT in policy formulation processes in order to better manage the diversity of available literature.ResultsThe KT literature in African countries is widely distributed, problematically diverse and growing. Significant disparities exist between reports on KT in different countries, and there are many settings without published evidence of local KT characteristics. Commonly reported KT strategies include policy briefs, capacity-building workshops and policy dialogues. Barriers affecting researchers and policy-makers include insufficient skills and capacity to conduct KT activities, time constraints and a lack of resources. Availability of quality locally relevant research was the most reported facilitator. Limited KT outcomes reflect persisting difficulties in outcome identification and reporting.ConclusionThis study has identified substantial geographical gaps in knowledge and evidenced the need to boost local research capacities on KT practices in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence mapping is also shown to be a useful approach that can assist local decision-making to enhance KT in policy and practice.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12961-019-0419-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…It is important to highlight that, for decision-making purposes, there will always be gaps in the available evidence and, when there is evidence, it may be of varying quality [79]. Analysts and decision-makers will therefore be routinely confronted by uncertainty that needs to be acknowledged and managed.…”

Section: Implications For Policy and Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

What do we need to know? Data sources to support evidence-based decisions using health technology assessment in Ghana

Hollingworth

Downey

Ruiz

et al. 2020

Health Res Policy Sys

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Introduction Health technology assessment (HTA) is an effective tool to support priority setting and generate evidence for decision making especially en route to achieving universal health coverage (UHC). We assessed the capacity needs, policy areas of demand, and perspectives of key stakeholders for evidence-informed decision making in Nigeria where HTA is still new. Methods We surveyed 31 participants including decision makers, policy makers, academic researchers, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, development partners, health professional organizations. We revised an existing survey to qualitatively examine the need, policy areas of demand, and perspectives of stakeholders on HTA. We then analyzed responses and explored key themes. Results Most respondents were associated with organizations that generated or facilitated health services research. Research institutes highlighted their ability to provide expertise and skills for HTA research but some respondents noted a lack of human capacity for HTA. HTA was considered an important and valuable priority-setting tool with a key role in the design of health bene ts packages, clinical guideline development, and service improvement. Public health programs, medicines and vaccines were the three main technology types that would especially bene t from the application of HTA. The perceived availability and accessibility of suitable local data to support HTA varied widely but was mostly considered inadequate and limited. Respondents needed evidence on health system nancing, health service provision, burden of disease and noted a need for training support in research methodology, HTA and data management Conclusion The use of HTA by policymakers and communities in Nigeria is very limited mainly due to inadequate and insu cient capacity to produce and use HTA. Developing sustainable and institutionalized HTA systems requires in-country expertise and active participation from a range of stakeholders. Stakeholder participation in identifying HTA topics and conducting relevant research will enhance the use of HTA evidence produced for decision making. Therefore, the identi ed training needs for HTA and possible research topics should be considered a priority in establishing HTA for evidenceinformed policy making for achieving UHC particularly among the most vulnerable people in Nigeria.

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Assessing the capacity of ministries of health to use research in decision-making: conceptual framework and tool

Cited by 20 publications

References 24 publications

Data-informed decision-making for life-saving commodities investments in Malawi: A qualitative case study

Data-informed decision-making for life-saving commodities investments in Malawi: A qualitative case study

Evidence map of knowledge translation strategies, outcomes, facilitators and barriers in African health systems

What do we need to know? Data sources to support evidence-based decisions using health technology assessment in Ghana

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